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immoderate fear depart from thee； and inordinate love shall die。〃
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CHAPTER 73
Of a good government in external things； and of having recourse
to God in dangers
〃My Son； for this thou must diligently make thy endeavour； that in
every place and outward action or occupation thou mayest be free within；
and have power over thyself； and that all things be under thee； not thou
under them； that thou be master and ruler of thy actions； not a slave or
hireling； but rather a free and true Hebrew； entering into the lot and the
liberty of the children of God； who stand above the present and look upon
the eternal； who with the left eye behold things transitory； and with the
right things heavenly； whom temporal things draw not to cleave unto； but
who rather draw temporal things to do them good service； even as they
were ordained of God to do； and appointed by the Master Workman； who
hath left nought in His creation without aim or end。
2。 〃And if in any chance of life thou stand not in outward appearances；
nor judgest things which are seen and heard by the fleshly sense； but
straightway in every cause enterest with Moses into the tabernacle to ask
counsel of God； thou shalt hear a divine response and come forth
instructed concerning many things that are and shall be。 For always
Moses had recourse to the tabernacle for the solving of all doubts and
questionings； and fled to the help of prayer to be delivered from the
dangers and evil deeds of men。 Thus also oughtest thou to fly to the
secret chamber of thy heart； and earnestly implore the divine succour。 For
this cause we read that Joshua and the children of Israel were deceived by
the Gibeonites； that they asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord；（1）
but being too ready to listen to fair speeches； were deceived by pretended
piety。〃
（1） Joshua ix。 14。
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CHAPTER 74
That man must not be immersed in business
〃My Son； always commit thy cause to Me； I will dispose it aright in
due time。 Wait for My arrangement of it； and then thou shalt find it for
thy profit。〃
2。 O Lord； right freely I commit all things to Thee； for my planning
can profit but little。 Oh that I did not dwell so much on future events； but
could offer myself altogether to Thy pleasures without delay。
3。 〃My Son； a man often striveth vehemently after somewhat which he
desireth； but when he hath obtained it he beginneth to be of another mind；
because his affections towards it are not lasting； but rather rush on from
one thing to another。 Therefore it is not really a small thing； when in small
things we resist self。〃
4。 The true progress of man lieth in self…denial； and a man who denieth
himself is free and safe。 But the old enemy； opposer of all good things；
ceaseth not from temptation； but day and night setteth his wicked snares； if
haply he may be able to entrap the unwary。 Watch and pray； saith the
Lord； lest ye enter into temptation。（1）
（1） Matthew xxvi。 41。
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CHAPTER 75
That man hath no good in himself； and nothing whereof to glory
Lord； what is man that Thou art mindful of him； or the son of man that
Thou visitest him？（2） What hath man deserved； that Thou shouldest
bestow thy favour upon him？ Lord； what cause can I have of complaint；
if Thou forsake me？ Or what can I justly allege； if Thou refuse to hear
my petition？ Of a truth； this I may truly think and say； Lord； I am
nothing； I have nothing that is good of myself； but I fall short in all things；
and ever tend unto nothing。 And unless I am helped by Thee and
inwardly supported； I become altogether lukewarm and reckless。
2。 But Thou； O Lord； art always the same； and endurest for ever；
always good； righteous； and holy； doing all things well； righteously； and
holily； and disposing all in Thy wisdom。 But I who am more ready to go
forward than backward； never continue in one stay； because changes
sevenfold pass over me。 Yet it quickly becometh better when it so
pleaseth Thee； and Thou puttest forth Thy hand to help me； because Thou
alone canst aid without help of man； and canst so stregthen me that my
countenance shall be no more changed； but my heart shall be turned to
Thee； and rest in Thee alone。
3。 Wherefore； if I but knew well how to reject all human consolations；
whether for the sake of gaining devotion； or because of the necessity by
which I was compelled to seek Thee； seeing there is no man who can
comfort me； then could I worthily trust in Thy grace； and rejoice in the gift
of new consolation。
4。 Thanks be to Thee； from whom all cometh； whensoever it goeth
well with me！ But I am vanity and nothing in Thy sight； a man
inconstant and weak。 What then have I whereof to glory； or why do I
long to be held in honour？ Is it not for nought？ This also is utterly vain。
Verily vain glory is an evil plague； the greatest of vanities； because it
draweth us away fom the true glory； and robbeth us of heavenly grace。
For whilst a man pleaseth himself he displeaseth Thee； whilst he gapeth
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
after the praises of man； he is deprived of true virtues。
5。 But true glory and holy rejoicing lieth in glorying in Thee and not in
self； in rejoicing in Thy Name； not in our own virtue； in not taking delight
in any creature； save only for Thy sake。 Let thy Name； not mine be praised；
let Thy work； not mine be magnified； let Thy holy Name be blessed； but to
me let nought be given of the praises of men。 Thou art my glory； Thou
art the joy of my heart。 In Thee will I make my boast and be glad a